Acts 20:11
And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse notes Paul "broken bread and eaten" after his long talk, distinguishing this meal from the earlier "breaking of bread" with the disciples. This suggests Paul’s own subsequent meal was for personal refreshment before his journey, not another communal communion service.
After a lengthy sermon that stretched into the night, Paul shares a meal with the believers. This is not the Lord's Supper itself, but a communal meal that follows it, and Paul eats with them until dawn before finally departing. The meal and extended fellowship were a final, precious opportunity for communion before Paul's imminent journey.
Paul's final gathering in Troas included 'breaking bread.' Was this the Lord's Supper, a simple meal, or something else entirely?
The phrase "broken bread" in Acts 20:11 refers to a shared meal, distinct from the Lord's Supper celebrated earlier (Acts 20:7). While the Lord's Supper was central to their gatherings, often happening on the first day of the week, this "breaking bread" served as a more common, communal meal, an Agape feast, taken as refreshment before Paul's departure. The text distinguishes this by noting Paul participated after his extended discourse and prayer, as a final act of fellowship before his journey.
Paul's 'talking' after the meal wasn't just more preaching; it was a different kind of communication. What's the significance?
The word used for Paul's conversation after the meal, 'homilesas,' signifies a more familiar, intimate talk, distinct from the more formal, intense preaching ('dialegomai') he had done earlier. Imagine sitting around the table, sharing personal stories, offering encouragement, and saying goodbye in a heartfelt way. This isn't just delivering a message; it's connecting deeply as brothers and sisters in Christ before a painful separation.
Paul and the believers stayed up all night! What drove this incredible dedication?
The entire gathering, from Paul's preaching to the shared meal and conversation, lasted until dawn. This wasn't out of obligation, but out of deep love and a recognition of the preciousness of their time together. Knowing he would likely not see them again, Paul poured himself out, and they, in turn, hung on his every word, willing to sacrifice sleep. It reveals a fervent devotion to God and to one another, a stark contrast to our often casual approach to spiritual gatherings.
Understand the original words
klasas arton · Greek Verb phrase/Noun phrase
A term referring to the gathering of believers for a meal, often including the Lord's Supper, symbolizing fellowship, unity, and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.
homilesas · Greek Verb
In the New Testament, refers to the practice of spiritual instruction, dialogue, or preaching. It signifies the ongoing communication of the gospel message within the community of believers.
This passage highlights the deep spiritual connection and selfless devotion shared between Paul and the believers, even in the context of a farewell. The prolonged meeting until dawn, following a miraculous event and a shared meal, underscores the intense desire for fellowship and spiritual nourishment before parting.
c. AD 57
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
Paul undertakes his extensive third missionary journey, which includes a significant stay in Ephesus and travels throughout Macedonia and Greece.
c. AD 57-58— this verse
Extended Ministry in Troas
Paul spends a week ministering in Troas, a key port city, during the final leg of his journey. This period is marked by an outpouring of spiritual life and miraculous power.
c. AD 58
Eutychus's Resurrection
During a lengthy sermon by Paul, a young man named Eutychus falls asleep and plummets from a window, only to be miraculously restored to life by Paul.
c. AD 58
Paul's Departure from Troas
After the resurrection of Eutychus and a shared meal, Paul departs from Troas early in the morning, having stayed until daybreak.
This passage speaks about the 'cup of blessing' and 'bread' shared in communion, echoing the 'breaking of bread' in Acts 20:11 and highlighting the spiritual significance of shared meals in early Christian practice.
Luke 24:13-35The disciples on the road to Emmaus shared a meal and recognized Jesus in the 'breaking of bread,' paralleling the intimate fellowship and spiritual revelation that can occur during shared meals, much like Paul's extended conversation.
John 6:53-56Jesus speaks of 'eating His flesh and drinking His blood,' a profound metaphor for spiritual sustenance and union with Him, which resonates with the deep communion and spiritual nourishment implied in the extended time Paul spent with the believers.
Acts 2:42This verse describes the early believers devoting themselves to 'the breaking of bread and the prayers,' showing that such communal meals were a central, regular practice for fellowship and spiritual growth in the early church, as seen in the extended time Paul spent.
1 Thessalonians 5:10Paul mentions that Christ died for us, 'whether we wake or sleep,' which relates to the context of Eutychus falling asleep and then being revived, emphasizing that spiritual life and God's work continue even amidst human infirmities.
barnesActs 20:11: "When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed."
Come up again - To the upper room, Acts 20:8 . And had broken bread, and eaten - Had taken refreshment. As this is spoken of Paul only, it is evidently distinguished from the celebration of the Lord's Supper.
henryActs 20:7-12: "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."
20:7-12 Though the disciples read, and meditated, and prayed, and sung apart, and thereby kept up communion with God, yet they came together to worship God, and so kept up their communion with one another. They came together on the first day of the week, the Lord's day. It is to be religiously observ…
The verse notes Paul "broken bread and eaten" after his long talk, distinguishing this meal from the earlier "breaking of bread" with the disciples. This suggests Paul’s own subsequent meal was for personal refreshment before his journey, not another communal communion service.
After a lengthy sermon that stretched into the night, Paul shares a meal with the believers. This is not the Lord's Supper itself, but a communal meal that follows it, and Paul eats with them until dawn before finally departing. The meal and extended fellowship were a final, precious opportunity for communion before Paul's imminent journey.
After a lengthy sermon that stretched into the night, Paul shares a meal with the believers. This is not the Lord's Supper itself, but a communal meal that follows it, and Paul eats with them until dawn before finally departing. The meal and extended fellowship were a final, precious opportunity for communion before Paul's imminent journey.
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c. AD 58
Journey to Miletus
Paul travels towards Jerusalem, stopping at Miletus where he delivers a poignant farewell address to the Ephesian elders.
"And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed." — The verse notes Paul "broken bread and eaten" after his long talk, distinguishing this meal from the earlier "breaking of bread" with the disciples. This suggests Paul’s own subsequent meal was for…
